Football Announcer Hank Bauer Suspended for Jewish Joke

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By JTA August 28, 2014

San Diego Chargers radio analyst Hank Bauer was suspended from announcing the team’s final preseason game for invoking a Jewish stereotype in an exchange with his on-air colleague.

In the waning moments of Aug. 24th’s Chargers-49ers preseason football game, play-by-play man Josh Lewin said if he were paying to attend he would not have left early, as many fans did, because of the high price of the tickets.

Bauer responded, “You know how copper wire was invented? Somebody dropped a penny between Josh and his family member.” Lewin is Jewish.

Bauer’s suspension was imposed by ClearChannel, the owner of Rock 105.3 KIOZ, the radio station that airs the team’s games.

“Although we know Hank had no ill-will behind his remarks, we agree the comments were inappropriate. Per Clear Channel’s decision, Hank will not be broadcasting Thursday night’s game,” the team said in a statement issued Wednesday.

Bauer has been the color commentator for the Chargers radio broadcasts in San Diego since 1998. He played for the Chargers between 1977 and 1982. Bauer apologized on Tuesday on Twitter.

“I made a hurtful insinuation that I regret and I would like to express how sorry I am. My poor choice of words were unfortunately open for negative interpretation, please know it was never my intention to offend any of my listeners. I hope you accept my apology,” Bauer wrote.

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